In the case of using direct dyestuffs, wet steaming can be applied without drying after printing. Serenasol GKZ, which is a dissolving agent for direct dyestuffs, assists hygroscopicity during steaming, diffusion to fiber and dyeability. If urea as a humectant is overused, bleeding will occur around motif-outlines, therefore, only the minimum amount should be used. For a stock paste, guar/locust bean gum is recommended. Since wet fastness is insufficient in printing dark color motifs (dye concentration : 5g/kg) using direct dyestuffs, it should be improved by using a fixing agent like Senkafix 300 (Shanghai Daxiang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.• Senka Corporation). (Table 4)

Table 4  Treatments for cotton blankets when direct dyestuffs used

[Recipe for color paste]

[Process]

Printingsteaming (100, 20 - 30 mins.)RinsingHigh temperature washing (70-80, Senkanol C-80 2g/l)RinsingTreating with fixing agent (60, Senkafix 300 10g/l)Drying
(* Shanghai Daxiang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.• Senka Corporation)